Ex-Orioles Pitcher Mike Flanagan Found Dead Near Baltimore Home

Earlier in the evening, news broke that a body had been discovered on Orioles broadcaster Mike Flanagan’s suburban Baltimore property. Now, there’s this report:

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher and general manager Mike Flanagan was found dead on his Baltimore County property, WBAL-TV 11 Sports Director Gerry Sandusky has confirmed through multiple sources.

Flanagan had been working as an analyst on Orioles television broadcasts this season, splitting duties with Jim Palmer (who is traveling with the Orioles this week). This was Flanagan’s third stint in the broadcast booth. He had also served twice as the Orioles’ pitching coach. From 2003 through 2007, Flanagan worked in the club’s front office in a tandem -- first with Jim Beattie, then Jim Duquette -- that functioned as de facto general manager.

The Orioles’ seventh-round draft choice in 1973, Flanagan reached the majors in 1975 and spent most of his career with Baltimore before retiring in 1992. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 141 wins, third with 450 games pitched, and third with 2,318 innings. In 1979, he went 23-9 and won the American League Cy Young Award. In the World Series that fall, Flanagan beat the Pirates in Game 1, but lost Game 5 despite pitching six strong innings.

In 1991, Flanagan was the last Oriole to pitch in old Memorial Stadium.

Longtime Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, behind the plate for many of Flanagan’s outings, said, “On the days he didn’t have good stuff, he just kept coming at you. He would change the rhythm, change his speed, drop down, throw a sidearm curveball -- use every weapon in his arsenal to get you out. And then on the days when he had good stuff, you had no chance against him.” Flanagan’s best pitches were probably his slow curve and his heavy sinker.

Flanagan was 59 years old.